Michel De Montaigne

There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)

Man (in good earnest) is a marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable subject, and on whom it is very hard to form any certain and uniform judgment.

And therefore, Reader, I myself am the subject of my book: it is not reasonable that you should employ your leisure on a topic so frivolous and so vain. Therefore, Farewell.